Magic Kingdom News and Rumors

STORY IN THE SKY

"Wishes," the biggest, boldest fireworks spectacular ever staged at the Magic Kingdom, weaves a thrilling "story in the sky" that blends music and character voices from cherished Disney animated films, original narration by Jiminy Cricket and dazzling pyrotechnic effects never seen before in a Disney theme park. The new show debuts October 8, 2003, during the "Magical Gatherings" press event, and will provide the perfect "goodnight kiss" for a gathering of family and friends at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.


YEE-HAW! -- Young guests can kick up their heels for a rootin' tootin' good time at Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree, a country music dance party held multiple times per day in the world-famous Diamond Horseshoe Saloon at the Magic Kingdom, part of Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Liberty Square dance party features Goofy, host Sarah Jo and several other beloved characters as they sing, play and teach young'uns how to country line-dance Disney style.

Hey Howdy Hey! Young'uns Can Kick Up Their Heels at Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Howdy, partners! Welcome to the world-famous Diamond Horseshoe Saloon at Walt Disney World Resort, where young'uns are in for a rootin' tootin' good time at Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree.

Several times a day, the legendary Magic Kingdom venue in Liberty Square plays host to a fun country music dance party starring Goofy, his pals Chip and Dale, plus the stars of Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 2--Woody, Jessie and Bullseye.

Young guests are encouraged to mosey on down to sing, play and learn how to country line-dance with some of their favorite Disney characters and Miss Sarah Jo, a true country sweetheart and Goofy's sassy sidekick.

During each 18-minute jamboree, Goofy and his pals will teach kids to kick up their heels and dance up a storm learning such classic country dances as "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Electric Slide" and "Cotton-Eyed Joe," plus the special "Goofy Two-Step." Grown-ups seeking a special keepsake can head upstairs to the saloon's balconies to shoot photos or video of the action down on the dance floor.

It's a rip-roarin' good time that'll leave everyone with a spring in their boots and smiles on their faces!
 SYM-FUNNY OF CHARACTERS -- Mickey's PhilharMagic, a new 3-D spectacular which debuts in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in October 2003, features classic Disney characters in computer-generated 3-D imagery. While Donald mischievously tries to capture Mickey's Sorcerer's hat and take control of the PhilharMagic orchestra, guests are immersed in music and scenes from classic Disney films such as "Beauty and The Beast," "Aladdin," "Peter Pan," "The Little Mermaid" and "The Lion King."


DONALD AND THE BEAST? -- In Mickey's PhilharMagic, a new 3-D spectacular which debuts in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in October 2003, Donald finds himself chasing Mickey's Sorcerer hat through scenes from classic Disney films, including the "Be Our Guest" scene from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

IMAGINEERING MICKEY'S PHILHARMAGIC -- In Mickey's PhilharMagic, Mickey and Donald both play integral roles. As Imagineers explain the storyline to Disney's most beloved characters, one is happy with his part and one (can you guess?) is not so pleased. Mickey's PhilharMagic, a new 3-D spectacular debuts in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in October 2003. The attraction features classic Disney characters in computer-generated 3-D imagery.

BELOVED CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE -- Mickey's PhilharMagic, a new 3-D spectacular debuting in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in October 2003, features classic Disney characters jumping off the screen in computer-generated 3-D imagery. The attraction, which immerses guests in classic Disney music and films such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Peter Pan," "The Little Mermaid" and "The Lion King," unfolds on the largest seamless screen ever created for a three-dimensional film -- a 150-foot-wide canvas -- and showcases a fourth dimension of dazzling in-theater effects.

Mickey's  PhilharMagic plays on world's largest screen

What happens when Donald Duck takes over for Maestro Mickey Mouse? In Mickey's PhilharMagic, set to debut this fall at the Magic Kingdom, richly animated worlds of classic Disney films magically come to life, thanks to a certain curious "conducktor."

Appearing at the Fantasyland Concert Hall, Mickey's PhilharMagic is a collaborative effort between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Feature Animation. Sharing an exclusive first look at the attraction with Vacation Magic (the official DVC newsletter, and the source of this information), Kevin Rafferty, Senior Writer/Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, says that "when we were designing the show, the thing we really wanted to do was create an attraction that appeals to the entire family, and especially those with younger children." True to that vision, the show features beloved characters and memorable musical scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Peter Pan. Appearances by Mickey, Minnie and Donald round out the story.

"Mickey's PhilharMagic is really a concert for the ears and eyes. All of the imagery is inspired and driven by classic Disney music," says Kevin. "In a sense, it's almost like Fantasia, but in a completely immersive way." How immersive? Advanced 3-D techniques were specifically developed for the show, allowing Disney characters to take center stage like never before. The action unfolds directly in front of you on a 150-foot-wide seamless projection screen--the world's largest!

Because of the format's demands, it was back to the drawing board, so to speak, for Feature Animation. Eric Jacobson, Senior Vice President Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, explains: "The characters in Disney animated films are always done two-dimensionally...though we've added shadows and made them feel more three-dimensional over the years." Therefore, a simple transfer of the existing animation to the 3-D environment "would look like little flat pieces of paper floating out there." For Mickey's PhilharMagic to become real, animators would have to recreate the classic scenes in "a whole new world"--the world of computer-generated animation.

Nick Ranieri, who animated Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, was up to the challenge. Returning to the character for Mickey's PhilharMagic, "he had to relearn his craft in the sense that he had to learn how to animate Lumiere in a three-dimensional perspective using computer animation," says Kevin, who gives the larger-than-life result a glowing review. "Nick did a masterful job, absolutely beautiful, maintaining the integrity of the original Lumiere."

Soon, you'll have the opportunity to "be our guest" at the Fantasyland Concert Hall, an opulent theater of vibrant purples, lush blues, and sparkling golds. The stage has been set, the cast is in character, and the curtain will rise this fall. Adds Kevin: "I've worked on a lot of projects over the years, but helping to create this show is probably the most fun I've ever had as an Imagineer. It's been a blast working with Feature Animation, and I'm very excited about opening Mickey's PhilharMagic up for our Guests because I think they're really going to like this."

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